Security in the Danger Zone: Normative Issues of Next Generation Biometrics

Abstract

In this chapter, a new set of ethical and socio-political issues emerging with the development of second generation biometrics are analysed and discussed. Two main elements of this development focussed on are, first, the emergence of new biometric traits, in particular so-called soft biometrics and physiological biometrics, and second, the shift to embedded biometric systems, which includes an emphasis on distant sensing, both particularly with regard to security related applications. These technologies, it is argued, reify highly sensitive and essentially contestable social categorisations, thereby closing them off from inspection, debate and contestation. Moreover, the shift towards embedded systems and distant sensing biometrics, requiring no conscious cooperation from subjects, gives rise to some obvious concerns about covert data capture, transparency and consent. A discussion of ‘under the skin biometrics’, highlights how a whole new range of body data are thus brought within reach of data controllers, and especially when used in embedded and distant fashion, need to be assessed from social and ethical viewpoints urgently. Drawing the various types of developments discussed together, a highly normative assumption embedded in biometrics, is articulated: the assumption of availability, which concerns the presuppositon that the body is available for security measures in ways that ought not to be simply taken for granted.